Abstract

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued its last statement on homosexuality and adolescents in 2004. Although most lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth are quite resilient and emerge from adolescence as healthy adults, the effects of homophobia and heterosexism can contribute to health disparities in mental health with higher rates of depression and suicidal ideation, higher rates of substance abuse, and more sexually transmitted and HIV infections. Pediatricians should have offices that are teen-friendly and welcoming to sexual minority youth. Obtaining a comprehensive, confidential, developmentally appropriate adolescent psychosocial history allows for the discovery of strengths and assets as well as risks. Referrals for mental health or substance abuse may be warranted. Sexually active LGBTQ youth should have sexually transmitted infection/HIV testing according to recommendations of the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention based on sexual behaviors. With appropriate assistance and care, sexual minority youth should live healthy, productive lives while transitioning through adolescence and young adulthood.

Introduction

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued its first statement on sexual minority teenagers in 1983, with revisions in 1993 and 2004. Since the last report, research areas have rapidly expanded and hundreds of new publications have been produced about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, including an Institute of Medicine publication entitled “The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding.”1 Being a member of this group of teenagers is not, in itself, a risk behavior and many sexual minority youth are quite resilient; sexual minority youth should not be considered abnormal. However, the presence of stigma from homophobia and heterosexism often leads to psychological distress, which may be accompanied by an increase in risk behaviors. Health disparities exist in mental health, substance abuse, and sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV.

LGBTQ will be used whenever discussing studies and recommendations for all self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning youth. Many adolescents do not define themselves as a member of a sexual minority group but may have had same gender sexual behaviors (men who have sex with men [MSM] and women who have sex with women [WSW]). For this statement, the term “sexual minority” includes LGBTQ and MSM/WSW individuals.

Definitions

Typically, a young person’s sexual orientation emerges before or early in adolescence.2,3 Sexual orientation is referred to as “an individual’s pattern of physical and emotional arousal toward other persons.” Individuals who self-identify as heterosexual are attracted to people of the opposite gender; homosexual individuals self-identify as attracted to people of the same gender; bisexual teens report attraction to people of both genders. In common usage, self-identified homosexual people are often referred to as “gay” if male, and “lesbian” if female.4 Many adolescents struggle with their sexual attractions and identity formation, and some may be referred to as “questioning.”2 For other definitions, please see Table 1 in the accompanying technical report.

Gender identity and gender expression usually conform to anatomic sex for both homosexual and heterosexual teenagers.5 Gender dysphoria refers to the emotional distress of having a gender identity that is different from natal sex. Many young children with gender dysphoria will resolve their dysphoria by adolescence, but others will maintain it and desire transition to the opposite gender. These teenagers are “transgender.”6,7 Transgender people are often also identified by the natal gender and transition to the desired gender; MTF refers to males transitioning to females and FTM are females transitioning to males.1,5,7–9

Many adolescents who self-report as lesbian will still occasionally have sex with males, and many males who self-report as gay may have sex with females; behaviors do not equal identity.1,10 This range of sexuality may be reflected in the higher rate of teenage pregnancies experienced by WSW compared with their exclusively heterosexual peers.11,12

Homophobia, Heterosexism, and Identity Formation

Homophobia and heterosexism may damage the emerging self-image of an LGBTQ adolescent.13–15 Homophobia perceived by LGBTQ youth may lead to self-destructive behaviors.16 Societal homophobia is reflected in the higher rates of bullying and violence suffered by sexual minority youth.17 With proper support and guidance, the majority of LGBTQ youth emerge as adults with sexual identities that are associated with little or no significant increase in risk behaviors compared with other youth. These resilient young adults lead happy, productive lives.18,19

Health Disparities for Sexual Minority Youth

Stigmatization, ostracism, and parental rejection remain common. Resulting struggles with self-image and self-esteem put sexual minority youth at risk.11,20,21 Many sexual minority youth become homeless as a consequence of coming out to their families; sexual minority youth who are homeless may engage in riskier behaviors including survival sex.22

Significant health disparities exist for sexual minority youth related to depression and suicidality, substance abuse, social anxiety, altered body image, and other mental health issues.1,13,17,23 Sexual minority youth suffer higher rates of depression and were more than twice as likely to have considered suicide.1,13,17,24–26 Protective factors against depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts included family connectedness, caring adults, and school safety.27

Referral for “conversion” or “reparative therapy” is never indicated; therapy is not effective and may be harmful to LGBTQ individuals by increasing internalized stigma, distress, and depression.1

When sexual minority teenagers “come out” and acknowledge their sexuality as adolescents, there are often significant repercussions, especially victimization.1,4,17,28 Even if not open about sexuality, 16% of MSM reported experiencing violence. Of adolescents who were open about their LGBTQ sexual orientation, 84% reported verbal harassment; 30% reported being punched, kicked, or injured; and 28% dropped out of school because of harassment.17,29 Sometimes it is simply the perception that an individual might be LGBTQ that may lead to bullying, harassment, violence, injury, and homicide.30,31

Studies on the use of legal and illegal substances revealed significantly higher rates of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamine, and heroin in sexual minority youth.1,17,32,33 Use of club drugs (eg, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, GHB [γ-hydroxybutyric acid], ketamine, and LSD [lysergic acid diethylamide]) is especially concerning because of the association with unprotected sexual intercourse.34

Health disparities exist in sexual health outcomes with respect to HIV/AIDS, other STIs, and teenage pregnancy among LGBTQ youth. Sexual minority youth were more likely than heterosexual youth to report having had intercourse, to have had intercourse before 13 years of age, and to have had intercourse with ≥4 people. Gay or lesbian youth were about half as likely as heterosexual youth to have used a condom at the last intercourse.22 During the past 15 years, reported rates of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis have trended downward for all adolescents, except for MSM.35–37 One particular disparity is in HIV infection. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that HIV rates continue to increase among young MSM 13 to 24 years of age.38

Information on sexual health disparities experienced by WSW is limited. High rates of STIs have been documented in lesbians and bisexual women with recent sexual contact with men, but there were also low but significant rates of STIs in exclusive WSW relationships. Viral infections, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and herpes simplex virus infection, may be transmitted via exclusive female-to-female sexual contact.39,40

LGBTQ youth are less likely to report the use of hormonal or barrier contraceptives at last sexual encounter when having sex with the opposite gender.22 Due to high rates of earlier sexual initiation, a greater number of partners, and less contraceptive use, WSW are at higher risk of teenage pregnancy than are teenagers who only have sex with the opposite gender.1

Health Disparities for Transgender Youth

Challenges faced by such youth and the potential of family and societal disapproval increase the risk that transgender adolescents will experience mental health issues, substance abuse, and sexual risk-taking behaviors. Transgender people face alarmingly high rates of verbal harassment and physical violence, including at home and at school.1 Transgender youth face significant mental health issues as a consequence, including depression and suicidality, anxiety, body image distortion, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Supportive families can buffer an adolescent from these negative outcomes and promote positive health and well-being.8

MTF transgender youth face even more sexual health disparities than other sexual minority youth, with very high rates of HIV and other STIs.41 There were higher rates of STIs and HIV in African American and Hispanic, compared with white, transgender individuals.42,43 Contributing factors included history of incarceration, homelessness, exchanging sex for resources, nonconsensual sex, and difficulty accessing health care. Many had injected liquid silicone in their lifetime, with some sharing needles for hormone or silicone injection. Transgender individuals who purchase or obtain transgenic hormones on the street or from the Internet may cause significant health problems if used improperly, even if they are pure.23

Promoting Sexual Health for LGBTQ Youth

Pediatricians and their office staff should encourage teenagers to feel comfortable talking with them about their emerging sexual identities and concerns about their sexual activities. Care should be confidential, and it is not the role of the pediatrician to inform parents/guardians about the teenager’s sexual identity or behavior; doing so could expose the youth to harm.44

Pediatricians’ use of gender-neutral terms can encourage teenagers to discuss any questions they have about their sexual behaviors or sexual orientation.19 Table 2 in the technical report offers suggestions for gender-neutral questions.45 Confidentiality must be emphasized.19

Teenagers who are abstinent should have their abstinence acknowledged and reinforced.19 If the adolescent notes that they have engaged in sexual activity, 1 classic question is “Are you having sex with males, females, or both?”46 Table 3 in the technical report offers some additional suggestions for asking about specific sexual behaviors.

STI/HIV Testing and Prevention

Recent guidelines from the CDC recommend assessing for STI risk including asking about the gender of all partners. Pediatricians should then make decisions about STI testing on the basis of the sexual behaviors identified by the sexual history.47 Adolescents who have not engaged in high-risk sex should be tested once per year. However, adolescents with multiple or anonymous partners, having unprotected intercourse, or having substance abuse issues should be tested at shorter intervals.47 Specific STI screening recommendations for MSM are described in Table 4 in the technical report. Because of the increased incidence of anal cancer in HIV-infected MSM, screening for anal cytologic abnormalities has been proposed.48 Condoms should be encouraged for all insertive/receptive sexual activities.47 WSW are at risk of acquiring bacterial, viral, and protozoan infections from current and previous partners, both male and female. STD treatment guidelines from the CDC recommend a frank discussion of sexual behavioral risk so that the physician can make decisions about which STI tests to perform. Additionally, because many WSW have also had sex with men, HPV vaccine and routine cervical cancer screening should be offered to women according to recommended guidelines. Condoms for sex toys and dental dam for oral-vaginal contact should be emphasized.47

The CDC recommends routine immunization of males and females 11 or 12 years of age with HPV-4; catch-up immunization is recommended for WSW and MSM through 26 years of age.47,49,50 HPV-2 has been approved for females 8 through 25 years of age.51

Because many teenagers who self-identify as LGBTQ may have sexual encounters that may not be predicted by their orientation, conversation about highly effective birth control methods and emergency contraception is important.11,12

Treatment of Transgender Youth

See the technical report for additional details on the medical and surgical transition of transgender youth. Supportive counseling is paramount to assist the teenager with any dysphoria and to explore gender roles before altering the body. The therapy consists of potentially delaying puberty with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs, then use of hormonal therapy, and finally surgery.5

Assisting Parents

Another critically important role of the pediatrician is to assist parents of sexual minority youth. Pediatricians should acknowledge the parents’ feelings but should provide information and support for the adolescent who has disclosed. Parents’ reactions and attitudes may adjust over time, and the pediatrician should check in regularly and offer support to the entire family. Please see Table 5 in the technical report for resources to assist sexual minority youth and their parents and families.

Recommendations

Pediatricians’ offices should be teen-friendly and welcoming to all adolescents, regardless of sexual orientation and behavior; this includes training all office staff and ensuring that office forms do not presume heterosexuality of patients (or parents).

If a pediatrician does not feel competent to provide specialized care for sexual minority teenagers and their families, he or she has the responsibility to evaluate families and then refer for medically appropriate care.

Pediatricians who provide care to sexual minority youth should follow prevention and screening guidelines as outlined in Bright Futures.19

All adolescents should have a confidential adolescent psychosocial history. Verbal histories and/or written questionnaires should use a gender-neutral approach. Screening and referral for depression, suicidality, other mood disorders, substance abuse, and eating disorders should be included.

LGBTQ adolescents and MSM and WSW should have sexual behaviors and risks assessed and should be provided STI/HIV testing according to recommendations in the most recent sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines from the CDC.

Contraception, including use of emergency contraceptives, should be offered to women regardless of their stated sexual orientation, and the importance of consistent condom/dental dam use should be discussed.

Strengths, resources, and risks should be assessed, and targeted behavioral interventions should be implemented to allow the adolescent to maximize strengths and acknowledge and minimize risky behaviors.

Pediatricians should be available to answer questions, to correct misinformation, and to provide the context that being LGBTQ is normal, just different.

Transgender adolescents need to be supported and affirmed; they need education and referral for the process of transition and about avoiding the pitfalls of using treatments that were not prescribed by a licensed physician.

Pediatricians should support parents in working through adjustment issues related to having a child who is LGBTQ while continuing to demonstrate love and support for their children.

Pediatricians should support or create gay-straight alliances at schools and support the development and enforcement of zero-tolerance policies for homophobic teasing, bullying, harassment, and violence.

Pediatricians should educate themselves about organizations that serve sexual minority youth and families in local communities and national organizations with information, support Web sites, and hotlines.

Staff

Karen S. Smith

James Baumberger

Footnotes

This document is copyrighted and is property of the American Academy of Pediatrics and its Board of Directors. All authors have filed conflict of interest statements with the American Academy of Pediatrics. Any conflicts have been resolved through a process approved by the Board of Directors. The American Academy of Pediatrics has neither solicited nor accepted any commercial involvement in the development of the content of this publication.

The recommendations in this statement do not indicate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as a standard of medical care. Variations, taking into account individual circumstances, may be appropriate.

All policy statements from the American Academy of Pediatrics automatically expire 5 years after publication unless reaffirmed, revised, or retired at or before that time.

World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming People. Minneapolis, MN: World Professional Association for Transgender Health; 2011. Available at: www.wpath.org. Accessed June 11, 2012

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